Wareham superintendent retires; district launches search

A day after Barry Rabinovitch announced his retirement citing an "unjust" evaluation, School Committee Chairman Geoffrey Swett said he hopes to start a search for a new superintendent by the end of the year.

WAREHAM — A day after Superintendent Barry Rabinovitch announced his retirement citing an "unjust" evaluation, School Committee Chairman Geoffrey Swett said Thursday he hopes to start a search for a new superintendent of schools by the end of the year.

Swett said he would recommend that the School Committee hire a professional search firm to recruit candidates and is in the process of putting together a search committee. He said he hoped to have someone in place by July 31, 2013, when Rabinovitch's retirement takes effect.

"We're moving as quickly as possible because finding an outstanding candidate is the most important thing we have on our plate at the moment," he said, adding that a search this year will be especially competitive because of openings in many districts, including nearby New Bedford.

Rabinovitch, 63, has worked in education for 41 years and was appointed superintendent in 2008. In October, he received a "needs improvement" on his annual evaluation, a score he referenced as one of his reasons for retirement.

"I have been at my maximum retirement percentage for the last six years but have continued to work because of my commitment to this community, staff and students," he said, reading a prepared statement at Wednesday night's meeting of the School Committee. "Your evaluation has helped me make a difficult decision relative to retirement."

In his statement, dated Oct. 31, Rabinovitch called the 64.45 score — which fell less than one point below the value that would have earned him a $3,000 raise — an injustice and listed 21 accomplishments of the past year, including the implementation of a new high school schedule and an iPad pilot program.

"By rating me 'needs improvement,' you have made my job more difficult," he said. Rabinovitch, who earned more than $164,000 in calendar year 2011, said he believed the goal of the evaluation was to deny him a raise.

Rabinovitch's position opens after a difficult year for the Wareham Public Schools. In July, voters rejected proposals to raise taxes and borrow in order to better fund the schools, forcing more than a dozen layoffs. In September, MCAS results showed the district's schools lagging behind the rest of the state in nearly all measures.

Swett said Rabinovitch's score on his evaluation reflected the committee's disappointment with MCAS scores and was not an effort to push him into leaving before the end of his contract, which expires in 2014.

Swett said neither he nor the rest of the committee "was trying to send any other message than that we think the students of Wareham can do better than they have been doing over the last few years," Swett said. "He has a remarkable record of achievement and perseverance ... and I think he should be admired for that."

Swett declined to comment when asked if Rabinovitch had spoken to him about his decision prior to the public meeting. He said he was not surprised by the announcement, citing the superintendent's many years of service.

"Dr. Rabinovitch has had a long and successful career. I think that he's a committed educator and I respect his decision to retire and I really do wish him all the best," said committee member Rhonda Veugen.

Rabinovitch started his career in Wareham in 1992, previously serving as middle school principal and assistant superintendent, said Bob Brousseau, a former teacher and a member of the School Committee from 1995 until 2010.

Brousseau also said he was not surprised by Rabinovitch's retirement.

"I know Barry is old enough to retire," he said, adding that he had a good personal relationship with the superintendent during his years as chairman.

"He wasn't afraid to make his views known. ... Maybe he said things that some of those in power might not like, but I always found him to be up front," he said.

Efforts to contact Rabinovitch Thursday at his office, at home and through email were not successful.